Page 21 of The Way Home

“Sorry. I can be indecisive sometimes.”

Caleb’s eyebrows furrowed. “No need to apologize. I’m in no rush.”

God, he looked good.

Apparently, putting this date off for a month had given Jamie plenty of time to convince himself that Calebwasn’tthe most gorgeous man in existence and that life would go on if he didn’t go out with him.

But now, sitting across from Caleb, he looked like he’d stepped straight out of a magazine. The red shirt clung to his biceps, and in the morning light, Jamie could see the flecks of green and gold in his eyes as he smiled.

“Jamie and Caleb!” the barista shouted from behind the counter.

“I got it.” Caleb stood and quickly retrieved their drinks. As he sat back down, his eyebrows tugged together. “Were you indecisive about whether or not you wanted to go out with me?”

“Oh.” Jamie’s cheeks warmed, and he dropped his gaze to the table. “Well, no. Not exactly.”

A knot of embarrassment tightened in his chest. It had taken him a whole bloodymonthto finally go out with Caleb.

“It’s okay if you were. I’m just happy you’re here.”

Jamie took a sip of his drink, trying to settle his nerves. When he looked up again, Caleb was watching him with that same easy, patient smile.

“I suppose I was nervous,” Jamie admitted. “But I wouldn’t have agreed if I didn’t mean it. The exhibit at the library ended up being rather time-consuming, and I wanted to give you my full attention if…whenwe did go on a date.”

He resisted the urge to scratch the back of his neck, which suddenly felt far too warm. “I, uh—I want to curate my own exhibit someday, so when I get the chance to assist, I try to make the most of it. Which usually means I end up working late.”

“That’s amazing.” Caleb leaned forward excitedly. “Tell me about it. How did it go?”

Jamie smiled as he told Caleb all about the exhibit. About Clarence’s micromanaging, JB swooping in to help, and all the ideas he had for exhibits he wanted to lead one day. The more he talked, the more he felt himself relax, and the anxious knot that sat heavy in his stomach all afternoon finally loosened a bit.

Caleb listened intently, leaning forward to ask questions and interject. He shared bits about his own goals—becoming Head Athletic Trainer someday, hopefully for Chelsea—and stories about the girls on the team, who were quickly becoming his friends. He even admitted he’d called his sister on the way over because he’d been nervous.

Caleb had been nervous?!

An hour slipped by, and Jamie couldn’t remember the last time he’d smiled this much. Caleb’s eyes kept drifting between Jamie’s eyes and his lips. Jamie’s emotions struggled to keep up as the energy between them ebbed and flowed—light and giddy one moment, charged and heart pounding the next.

At one point, Jamie caught himself wondering what it would be like to bring Caleb home. To introduce him to his mum. To Pippa.

That exact thought had been enough to put him off even agreeing to this date a few weeks ago. But now, sitting across from him, their feet brushing under the table, it didn’t feel quite so terrifying.

More than once, Jamie felt his fingers twitch, wanting to reach across and take Caleb’s hand. When Caleb spoke about missing his mum, who had moved back to Texas, and his friends back in Chicago, there was something softer in his voice that made Jamie yearn to touch him. Hold his hand and pull him closer.

Maybe even kiss him.

Caleb’s low chuckle brought Jamie’s attention back.

Good Lord—had he been staring at his mouth?

“Huh? Sorry—erm, what did you say?”

A slow, knowing smile spread across Caleb’s face. He leaned back slightly and crossed his arms. “Whatcha thinking about over there?”

“Oh—just that, well…” Jamie swallowed. “I like it when you talk about yourself. I like listening to you.”

“Hm.” Caleb bit his lip, clearly amused. “You’re too cute.”

Jamie’s face burned. “Erm, thanks.”

“I like learning about you, too, Jamie.”